39. GS/4: 

Buc 48 | 

Bulletin No. 48 July 26, TOLD « 
| M. M. LEIGHTON 


COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA 

















ae) 
DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL APFAIRS 
James F. Woodward, Secretary 
BUREAU OF TOPOGRAPHIC AND GHCLOGICAL SURVEY 
George H. Ashley, State Geologist 
eB + wPYRITE PROM BITUMINOUS COAL MINES IN PENNSYLVANIA 
By 
Henry Leighton* 
- Contents - 
Page 
ie MES Deere tae Nh! dy) Ge py nina) ep mm oy mm my veel vee Vm! 1 
so EN VST ee mS rey Sk) ii ie) est ape ies oe, at imei hve Nm ee mm fe 
en Mode of occurrence - - si SHU A Ge al ge a 3 
‘ Methods of estimating slemib ts of pyrite ~- 7 - - = » 
Methods of recovering pyrite - -----+---+-+-+-- 6 
Cleaning plants BARA esl Se vRV mtg au sot Ym nn! ey rn mo 7 
Mar ket ran ia = ey = Cn ee ed -~_ = = 8 
Oceurrence in Pennsylvania - -----+---+s -+-+-- 9 
Meeerencion by distracts - - <-(+.-'-2.- -)- ee ~ 20 
Summary of pyrite available - ---+---+-+--->--- 218 
Production and imports - - --+--+-s+-+-+-+-+7e+--- 19 
i } 

|. FRERACH. 

3 The field investigation of pyrite in coal was done in the 
Summer of 1918 by visiting the more promising areas for pyrite pro- 
duction. A thorough canvass of the entire coal ficld was not made 
but enough was done to demonstrate that the available supply of 

pyrite is large and that a fair tonnage could be obtained without a 
great expenditure of money for equipment. 

Special acknowledgment is made of the cooperation of the United 
States Bureau of Mines, which organization through its Experiment 
* Professor of Economic Geology, University of Pittsburgh. 
This report was written in 1918, at the request of R. Kk. Hice, then 
state Geologist. 
OE > ee eee m a 


ee eae eT we —— ——_ = To m—e <e 





™/ Nal Y i 
ued 











; by ) 1 
¥ 1 Athy \ : My 
i] V 7 js Bis) al , it 
’ ‘ : \ 
fi " pri Le 
\ x BT . 
‘ mit Sivh * ‘ 
uae dyer’ What ‘r 
: ‘ I iv Bias 
4 , ‘ ey 
i } 
\ Ce Ne Ua: 
‘ i i 5, 
: 
; NT j Tite ty 
| i hl rl mesh Ny 
6 
" / byte 
Prat ma’ 
j a) ney ' 1 BA Ao 
. ¥ 4 y ee 
t t | vert) ¥ Da 
i t At i) ti & \ 
i i 
: j t 
; : , Shaul é 
‘ ‘ ‘ Wout LOAN Wat 
+ ‘ ‘0% 
< 
te \ ¥ 
9 ‘ 
‘ 5 r) 
i ] 
r Meh af yi! i) 
Ki y 
yl ANS 
\ ‘ 
‘ 
) f 
; \ i i 
P J 
; tip.) 
} 
" Wy 
‘ - / i 
vy 4 k 
os y 
A 
} ; 
FhAKS 
i ! 
\ j ‘ 7 
oe . 
‘ + il 
} 
| | 
{ 
" ins | i 
\ “ul 4 f 
i 
| ) " 
hd LW . ¥ 








é - A Ay ave 

‘ ‘ j 

{ ; ‘ in 5 
4 ‘ : J i 

i 7 , \ 
‘ ’ & y F i vA 
ear ‘ ry 

+ i MeN Vy, 
’ ? - ’ \ 
. bs ' 

: i : ij 
Waw * yy 


Ears 





a ae 
ones 






~ 










friable doit Ny, Aloe 4 ah ne 


wy +; 





Station at Urbana, Illinois, under charge of Mr. E. 4. Holbrook, 
made several analyses of pyrite samples and tested crude lump pyrite 
and washery refuse, 


Mine officials throughout the State have taken an interest in 
the investigation, and have contributed valuable information. 


INTRODUCTION, 

The world war has intensified the movement, started some years 
ago, looking toward the conservation of our resources, Supplies of 
many raw‘materials were cut off and the combined ingenuity of our 
chemists, engineers and geologists was constantly utilized in de- 
vising substitutes or new methods of using lower grade materials, 


Among such materials of which there seemed imminent danger of 
Shortage was sulphur for sulphuric acid manufacture, The increased 
demand for sulphuric acid in the manufacture of-explosives, fer- 
tilizer, and many other important war time uses, brought about a 
demand tor sulphur ores which was difficult to meet, 


The use of pyrite from Spain, long the chief source of sulphur 
for the-acid plant, was almost entirely cut off by shipping diffi- 
culties, and whereas the United States had been importing about two- 
thirds of its pyrite for acid manufacture (967,340 tons in 1917), it 
had during the war not only to find an equal quantity of domestic ore 
but also additional ore for increased acid production, 

Serious inroads were made on our stock of Louisiana sulphur, 
with a threatened shortage there, several new pyritic ore bodies were 
opened up, and a greater use of smelter fume sulphur was attempted, 


In the summer of 1917 the time seemed ripe for a country-wide 
investigation of the somewhat neglected source of sulphur, the pyrite 
associated with coal, the United States Bureau of Mines taking the 
leadership. 


For some years sporadic attempts have been made to use coal 
pyrites, Illinois reporting shipments of 14,849 tons in 1915, Ohio, 
10,857 tons; and Indiana 972 tons, with a very small production from 
Pennsylvanias ; 


In general the coal pyrites have been unable to compete with the 
Spanish‘ore, which is brought over at a very low freight rate as in 
ballast, and possesses the advantage of a small but valuable and 
recoverable copper content, The recovery of sulphur from smelter 
fumes, and the use of Gulf Coast native sulphur have also hindered 
the development of coal pyrites. 


The coal pyrite has also the disadvantage (probably too greatly 
emphasized bythe purchaser of pyrite) of carrying considerable 
adhering coal, and the purchaser bases his bid largely upon the 
quantity of coaly material present, some claiming that its presence 
gives the acid a dark color, and others that it makes too much heat 


Rees 






















































wk ae We CEG 
i i Wy uh Teh 
« j ‘ Pt 4 4 » 
i aN Me 
‘ f ; 
: “| 
\ ” , 
: ‘ 
\ ca) | 
§ 1 
’ 4 
y* ) U cain, 
SOON S RA Ae 
" 
f | .* f 
y . wal te RD i A oe ie 
rie 
’ \ 4 ep 4 uti Ae ye, teh 
ie 1 ul 4 Sart ») 
, 
; pease " Dive, eth) ‘ 
PR A SR) aan laa 
y 
i} / y 
. 
> gy tee 
4 : ; uy tan 
: A “ y oes a Ft Pie RS ft aed aE ner ah he sty 8 
L - b DA We iAP ye BY Wiss we 4 hives tik Ay Ah, GO pani tie iy ob 
rid , ‘ 5 Rae J 
' i Pee dyes y Liga Riera ; 
‘ Nit. oe A Wilkes We eaten fb tet) Pe Ler eh iad, 
rate ivatniaaaab ga wlineh ati 4 2 ol seh 
5 Bir et iy } 4 ‘ Dy . P.: 
Pa * j tT ie 
a + i : ' 
‘ . hn , de od ") k 9 * 
as Sia aiid nae. aah ‘ 
‘ ‘ t i 
i mA He Ah Oe { at ‘ 
rem as | t 
‘ 4 i 4 
t i \ ‘ / +P ie ; 
; h | 1 
We ice i Ua ie ons at es 
Vy , ’ . eee 
se \ " me 
‘'s war bbc vee 
- 4 { me pit iN 
i ae yt i ‘ q { oN 4A 
‘ oa Ane we 
; ‘ fi wt 
4 * vy mt ‘ itl cal 
- ? ¥, v Tit y i ‘ + ‘ **, | 
, : J 7 
4 y oat i 7 mA A 
\ ‘ si - F ‘ p LA s 
3 ‘ F 7 Ae ais (1 i yeas: } 
' F : Sa : Lae es. q * 
‘Oy ' HU NACL ey emia Ur ogc I ; Saree Re at iat, ry; ir “LGA 
AL Ys es ivy j uy 
iM : Fa : 7 dt a Dy) ay Wi , 
j aS aay Ny! | bay ei “Yee ‘| La ti at 
’ { y Vara et eh : ve i 
1 ih, é TEs 
“ hy i OF) \ i ais: P . \ 
Conte Paty Neg Kogits A  al al la Haw f ee de 
j \ } t 
iA ri ' Nig we dy wt Ky ie a ; rt 
' i‘ ) ‘ a Hi ek J { 
dope py #400 4 tos fe ‘ ‘ 
fd ’ et y , AeA. ey ‘ 
* 
} 
; st f 
oy al PP AML f ype 
%, 
a ’ ay , “aA 
1 ; ty; hk © Ve ah 02 | 
Ky J of LL? ; 
: \ ii 4 Be ey aa VE 
i ; 2 abi Wn ; liye 
j } ‘ ie ie a ant CUM, eet 3 
. Hy! atts i 
ft i u Saee ‘ 
i é hOK Oh ‘ 
i J imal al ’ 
i 
i i Westy ’ ? Paty 
y ay "4 vy tN AA 
4 | \y , ’ , 
i 2 | / 
fe 
j 1 , - 
a ii . 
af at ara? ba! taf 
s ve ip Ly Y et j 
é \ " a ; 
Reid ait 
y a 
f #4 
mA q ;:' ¥ 4 
a Py 4 ' 
j : 
Bie © | 44 
> re | Med hove 
< 
Vere 
if ‘ 


ae hi ae 


dor ls segs 








during the roasting. The presence of a small quantity of coal should 
be offset somewhat by the unusually low phosphorus and arsenic con- 
tent, both of which are much lower than in the Spanish ore. 


High and seemingly unjust and discriminatory freight rates have 
also deterred the development of some promising supplies of pyrite in 
coal mines, rates from central Pennsylvania to an acid plant in 
western Pennsylvania being higher than the rate on Spanish pyrite 
from seaboard to the same acid plant. 


Altcgether, for these and other reasons, the manufacturers of 
Sulphuric acid have been averse to paying a very high price for coal 
pyrites, the quotations usually being so low as to discourage the coal 
company from attempting to recover the pyrite, Shipments of a car- 
toad or two come into the plants from time to time and their irregu- 
larity is a source of constant worry to the manufacturer. Could the 
acid manufacturer be assured of a constant deily supply of this form 
of pyrite in a fairly clean state, the writer believes he would be 
Willing to pay such a price that a fair, though not excessive profit 
could be made by many coal mining companies. 


During the war the shortage of pyrite became acute and bade fair 
to bring about arise in the prico paid for coal pyrites and a conse- 
quent development of the industry on a large scale. Although 
hostilities ceased before much development could be effected,. Some 
Plans eat least were made which seem to make possible the production 
of pyrite by certain coal companies even in peace times, when prices 
may be lower. } 


The investigation in Pennsylvania aroused general interest among 
coal operators in methods of preventing the waste of such an important 
economic mineral, and it is quite likely that some will and others 
could save an@ market pyrite at a profit. To be sure, the wastage 
probably must continue in some mines unless wrices could be advanced, 
for the saving of the pyrite necessarily demands additional lsbor, 
Special arrangements with the miner, or Special equipment. Never- 
theless, every operator should at least acquanmt himself with : 
Successful methods employed elsewhere and their results, and should 
make a careful study of his local problem to ascertain if the saving 
of the material would be practicable. The writer believes that the 
SBVallable tonnage of pyrite in a mine is generally underestimated by 
the operator, the quantity of pyrite in his mine often seeming small 
until he installs a picking table and operates in a period when 
independent miners "load out everything." 


Wiode of Occurrence. 


The mineral pyrite has the composition of FeSe (sulphide of 
iron) and when theeretically pure consists of 46.6 per cent iron and 
05.4 per cent sulphur. It is a brassy colored mineral, harder than 
stecl. 1 occurs in crystals often cubic in form; in scales, some- 
times known as fool's gold; in large ore bodies associated with 
copper, Zinc, lead and other minerals; and in nodules in coal beds. 


PU ea 


oe ae ear } pe Cy ed aa vi - 
nS f ret Se Bey 2 
‘ t as 















































































‘ 
’ 
. ins te ou 
co” at oy Bee ix RS 
+ ee Oe a! te 
Pi fa 
; “ bey Ware ee | Hesse dutdtw oben” Sat Sn dk? sin hale: f by ve 
’ Seb e Ro mee AC er Sue ik bah” Bony Web Ry ht tevpann “uh ii ¥ 
: Arg ys wiry’ D wy AY bee ey c Te ey L r fe 
ri « ae | NRT val haha Spt W iy Ries ; % See id » vite bey thao AY vA 
a 1. RS Ce Og a en ert) : pi CUR} ae a } rnd a me 
ri? ; hh’ oh th ia ee ed, We ay w ity 
‘ ; . ANA) GSE hd aes Doma brats) oe ana i harks ie > ny Leeee |: Se Bate roy 
. - YO aes 
. 5 oe > *S - hth | es 
ae ms ay } tin Samet Seth it 8 RR 
, A + 
y b a bs ‘a 2s ou r ee) 
a a be a it i eT BI he bible? | Lhe ‘ a ne it ait ne: 
.! % i : % « 4h a a y ie : fi Erb 1 
é 2 RE SS ae. ek ROU sane at a te Ug oie a 
. 4 4 i ue a ' re oa : Be Oe 4 ee % Y ee, 
or | PA OE a Soa OR Pi Pee alae gt :s 
‘ ai. 5 ‘ - «,\4 . M4 ah i i sald ; ya oe i Ce ry wae oad Tg \ Selig tes 
me PERE EL NG Gh Mako Pa ert By Hi CRED Bh RA eae he yl 4 2a\. 4) ARTY A mi te heave ts 
! H . : \ ( ) % ‘ t ; ' 
' adds, at . , ate “ ry P vey ree A are ‘ ‘ a att be Sig ey F 
' Ait | ~ suk be GMAT. S A Oe 06: 4 rx rh i Tre Ne vi a % t i? 
we ns | ha baie y Fo NBs tok bes op , 
P Ace re A eg ‘ad wh SA by Ng te + a Ren Wate & iy : fXty VOL | i 
. ’ ‘ 4, ‘ * *” rt ‘ 
‘ ‘ ¥ a i ) he ‘ Ov) ‘ } ye f : 
> f ‘ - ’ ™ v we AAS, 9h C % Yi * dy tf PAG f ms ut 
ts oa Fe Eas © ' PRP AREA ‘, $ a | bu wt A FO, hyo ri 
J ‘ } - oe we ee a ae aan, ley oO aw Heke. N ; + 
: : \ » a a) en a te aR tip vs f t Me es yea wh } ahs! y aby ry ei ice | a as i 
: ; * ' vi \, a ad ‘ 4 ie aA Z , a Apnea wy ; Ad a, 
} i Nay ees Ped gee tae Opies) SURE ea 
j Cale eas at ny) ae FP =. 
Rees Xe dh had oS ait SE Pah baat 
, t yer Fe hugh ye ‘ rig bt aw ee 
i en \ j x i "is a { tA hint Ne 
n : ry 
i } j i oy { ‘y hea. 
L ‘ : . } otagy' 
se ; : a es i Ghhe Ss ray i} % 
. > Ladi ’ ad q 3 4 ae ry ee it ge h ‘aw ae oti ie Ars tp) Lf « 
ae . mek we Ay %, ei ee : ras! ee 
P : oy Hh Pie coo 4 fy Cy “ie & 2 ee ne A 
‘ } Si: AY tod Gk: SPR Re Can MORES SAL IUEE, | eee ANS, OS £ 
x 4 bai y sare, tian € ; 
‘ We, y » ) « , needed Ane eae tee eee | SE { 
va Bind , ; Ba ar y 7 ; AS ye fi eee % se oud 
Leu) MBG om Cid 0 ae , hed, a tats ‘ 
‘ hat ory ey ait | ty Gag bbita ha ATE Big SOG 
ieil PER OR ra eae ye Che BN et a a ie x 
y ry wit kh i. 5 he biiy! oy ghee goin as 
“i ’ ener | ca “a Beate | vee aah 2% ty tohd Thy hy ire Hr : va 
VJ : 4 oy ; ‘ a MNase a . ; te fet 9 an i) elvis 
ea, ee . a ee Ps w! F : f i Se ae | byt Dah yer ge i wy! a 
? . A ’ f ! tA) 
: ol iad a o4 ' me ae ae vu ne ax 
SAE ea: Fad” OY ie g CU Oe ye Vii MR eA a sm 
‘ po ; . : ‘ a : " ih) ity ae eee i voy ce 
% : 1! t Oe they ‘ i Fy ory er iAlKe ae a cine 
! . * » we Te I y "e 
2 Dia 7 R ‘ a ar a ae i. ee L ae 
. > ; wee 
¢ : ' i) " . 4 %% A en “te ee ry é 
. DE ADEE ELA gi ’ ae ae oe Wh ae ie ee hott 
+ Ne aD | by Ry h aoiat " ui eat (i 
Og ore any Pe wy Pipa) ter) etd Ne | “1 
‘er * ‘ f 
hit § ‘ . wo “ % 
} 4 Ms We STG. ce a ED Be ae ie eit eeki fe 
us * xf rh sa. 
4 a Cur 4 * : of Liss ' : 
i oo eh Te neh al Rea eh Gad aad Lhie re Ne’ , le ae uf ay at 
Ay ey es. apa 0 de } Pal ea ere ‘a 
oe &” ie 7, } au p Dh AS a Oe et ae eo i > 20 r hw io : 
; i aa Oe Slr eR nE AIR . yi nh POR pon: re. aa Pes a ‘apts ; 
» Ret) Tbe AE ip * is ey et iho ae ab mh 2 ay hth OS 
. : K 
» i Caer + ripe 4 ys ang eh 
AV: Bedi i AN Who et UR ee gr a hilt ie 
! . - ¢ i y * yi ¥. 
jf ' F F L j vey f ¥ had { bit } = hhay ‘7 : 
ij F hi 1 cal yr, iii 4 ie Ke roi yy , 
] 4, 1h ie wif re ee | Aas 1 My 4) La ‘ a 
: le Gna 
1 t i rah ; q 
f 1 a 4 { : rey ay, 
‘ 4 % - hy Mos 
* h Age U ’ \ ty Bas f a) tg hae re # rh rl ' 
echeety " ." Pie 38 hae, on 
the ‘ Ful ee Sol ey od } ehh” gal © i ae ert f A t at P Ys 
4 mS « wins Le cc he Tay me p ide’ ¥ rae Li ns , A 
* “| ity 4 G4 
j : ‘ cy ee 
Ww , ; ‘ j Dey 
: i oper J f ‘ 
’ ie ee . wy o iv 
' rr " 
4 Sy te ar f ‘VA Gita Wh A 
- ‘ ¥ ry ve 
FS TRY 
¥ ms ’ Mi oad 
" iy! ae oe 1 ASE ARE 
' 
Pa te ‘ ah J 
par Ly 4 ee we by oy er iy 
xt ‘ . OL . igre 
q i ied ve ‘ i fy 
4 ae be ites Se Sue © Bh Pitan a HE ne 
‘ y vin 
x \f 
: yea on, 
; ‘ ee date 
‘ Niche 
} . SeaPE ALA 
7 f i¥ i 
, - a tal fe) i 
: wy, Ate Wy cone ak 
Per, ; ; | y ’ ; med i fezy |) Wee 
7a 


Another form of FeSo, crystallizing differently from pyrite but 
having very Similar propertics otherwise, is the mineral marcasite. 
Unless in good crystal form the two are distinguished only with 
difficulty, and for brevity the FeSo in coal as described in this 
report is all termed pyrite. 


The pyrite (or marcasite) in coal is generally know to the 
miner as "sulphur", "sulphur balls", or “coe2l brasses.”" It cccurs 
generally in one of four forms: plates, nodules or balls, lenses, or 
in thin scales. ‘The plates are horizontal seams or binders ot pyrite, 
usually from + inch to 2 or 3 inches thick and maintaining a uniform 
thickness over large areas. Their position is veriable: they mey Be 
near the roof, near the bottom, or less often in the heart of the 
bed. In some mines they lie in roof coals which are not removed, 
except in driving headings. When the pyrite exists in plates the 
estimation of the quantity present in a mine is relatively simple. 


The plate is generally either dense brass-like pyrite, rather 
dull on the fracture and called by some miners "whin sulphur,” oF 
else the plate is made up of obscure, thinly laminated pyrite and 
coaly layers which upon exposure quickly separate, causing the plate 
to crumble and scale, the surface becoming covered with a whitewash, 
or iron sulphate. Both types of plate are of value, even the more 
impure laminated type often rumning 44 per cent sulphur. The more 
Serious disadvantage is its rapid decay, which makes its storage 
difficult and lowers the value of old dumps should they be worked 
Over. 


The lenticular pyrite generally runs 1 to 3 inches in maximum 
thickness, and on the face has a length of 3 to 12 inches, giving 
generally when mined masses averaging 8 inches in disgmeter end re 
inches thick in the center. The lenses may be scattered promiscuous~ 
ly through the coal or they may be concentrated in a general horizon 
near the roof or floor. Their constitution is much like the platy 
material, either dense or laminated. 


The ball type, to which the term "Sulphur balls" more properly 
applies, is more nearly spherical than the lenses, and varies from 
fist size up to 6 inches in diameter. Some irregular balls, tending 
toward lenses, may be of large size, weighing several hundred pounds. 
The balls are seldom as uniform in composition as the other types, 
some being made up of bright, brassy pyrite, but knotty, that is, 
with peculiar wavy masses of coaly material end other impurities 
throughout. This knotty material can be cleaned, but first has to be 
crushed to + inch lumps. Other balls carry siderite, the gray or 
brown carbonate of iron, which makes a central core, or elsé is 
intimately mixed with the pyrite, giving a pepper and salt appearance. 
The balls are therefore less uniform and must be carefully examined 
as to their interior composition. They are less abundant than either 
of the preceding types. 


The fourth type, the "scaly sulphur,” occurs in the form of thin 
brassy scales hardly thicker than paper and distriVuted along the 
cleavage planes or on the bedding planes of the cosl. This scaly 
material may be evenly distributed in the coal and hardly noticeable, 
or it may be segregated into bunches or knots which are easily 


Bcd 








Pes eh ve {* 
je ity a | Me | ahh 


+ * 
‘ i y 2 4’ wwe 
; 
; 
‘ 
i 
oad ‘ 
aL 
. 
Oy | 
' 
‘ / 
Fd ; 
‘ ' 4 ‘ i 
, 4 
' ‘ 
«% ye 
are | ‘ 


Aidit Gpey BP “tr iat Didnt sf Sp UR Besinh UA) dha ie AS sie - bara 





4 Ay ae f 5 
TP LUD RMN AU MeeCOSR En CIMA Wah gk hi! ae) Me 





crumbled and are often know cs “soft sulphur." This scoule is not 
recoveruble for acid mnufacture, und is the most detrimental to the 
coal, as it can be removed only by washing and then only with diffi- 
cult ye 


Methods of Estimating Quantity of Pyrite. 





The estimation of the quantity of pyrite available in a mine or 
coal bed is frequently difficult on account of its irregular distri- 
bution. The general practice of leaving the greater part of the 
Sulphur in the gob makes an underground examination necessarye LE 
pyzite occurs as a fairly continuous plate or series of lenses the 
best method of estimation is to measure the vertical face of pyrite 
present in the various rooms, multiply the average thickness by 6 and 
determine what percentage such a result is of the total thickness of 
the coal bed, The measurement is multiplied by 3 because generally 
the mixed pyrite is 3 times as heavy aS coal. For instance, if in a 
mine we find that in all rooms the everage thickness of pyrite 18 3 
inch, we multiply thet by 5, giving 14 inches, and in a 60 inch coal 
bed 13 tons of pyrite could be extracted from 60 tons of coal or 27 
per cent. In our Pennsylvania mines the distribution is rarely unl- 
form enough to make this inethod of estimation of much value. 


Another very practical method which cen be used by the maine 
Operator is to instruct the miners to load out, say for a day, all 
the material mined, slate, sulphur, and all, anc then carefvlly sort 
this material on a platform or on the ground and weigh the pyrite |. 
recovered. This method has been used by some companies and sur prising- 
ly high sulphur recoveries shown. 


The chemical analysis of the coal is of little value in estimat- 
ing pyrite except that a high sulphur analysis generally indicates 
an even greater quantity of sulvhur as pyrite. in the coal sampling 
for analysis as carried on and recommended by the Bureau or suines, a 
vertical cut is made on the face of the coal, but sulphur bands or 
lenses over 3/8 inch are excluded, so that the more valuable sulphur 
balls from the stendpoint of the acid manufacture do not appear in 
the analysis. aA coal may therefore show on analysis ea sulphur con- 
tent of one per cent but in reality carry in the mine several per 
cent of sulphur in the form of pyrite balls. 


On the other hand it must be remembered that a variable quan- 
tity of the sulphur appearing in the anelysis may exist in the coal 
as scales of white gypsum, a form cf calcium sulphate, as non mr 
recoverable scaly pyrite, or in the Somewhat vague combination with 
the coal substance generally termed “organic sulphur." The quantity 
of sulphur present in these forms is in practice more than counter = 
balanced by the sulphur in the balls not included in the saimple, ona : 
we thus generally find more recoverable sulphur present than inaicatet 
in an analysis. 


Pyrite brought to the surface and separated from the coal on 
picking table, in the cars, or in a washery, can easily be weighed 
and often a rough estimate made as to its relation in tonnage to the 


AAD ow 














































ni oy ‘ 
i ¢ \ Aas! os ( 
' he eae Fierce: Megara Rhy vara Fy Yap Nos ay 7 
ihe oO ; ey fa toh a ai aye Kat 
; ‘ , ; . ; %, 4 nie 
b - ‘ , i, 3 f 
’ ‘ ‘ Ns wi vat aN : v 
4 
5 
F t Cis a wh 
}) . » 4 
A v , 
RT rod nah de 
¥ } rt} si x i 
| é J vA Yt INN a " 
% , \ ‘ +o. 
nN } i beans ti tid wy! N Rc a Oren 
' ia Bt ONY Oe st ne Ae en res Do MT EAI SU oF cue 
» * . mel iv i ; 1 ¥ 
q ’ y a ‘ a Nae bate ty, by ayy 
r \Prar %s ire aan Po 
; ROD RD OG Meat Ty Md ie Tana ete aca by tans 
ai = i ¢ an 
OV aipial vans \ Sa) 4} hae itt A aabeuh ute He Cn aR oa fo pane) 
i : ( i Vai : e Nae 
. Bi | , ri i’ On 
‘ ae | lie ue tee 
\ 
‘ a 5 
- at rm 
K : | , ‘ + sae 
’ , i 
’ . q oy \ , ‘ fi 
, : ; | { hi, ‘ 
ware ba” 
\ ‘ 
. \ \ : r ai : ; i 4) } 
; , 
5% 
¥ ; ’ ¥ ny , 
" 0 \ ' 4 
4 bus \ Ni 
. t me M 
A : ner 
: i re ea | 
‘I 
o. { h ‘ f i 
, : 
; ; 
{ +. 
Ui hie * Se i 0 
*} ean a) ‘ 
ri f 
i ta 7 
. \ \ 
’ 
at * 
i 
‘ iy fie 
a eave f iy 
, , t 
: ; i F 
y nih eg 
* >. -~ I 
: { ; 4 is 
. y j ob [ 
, e 
‘ } eT 
I ; j Lae ' \ al Puy be 
£ . i > wa ' , 
? f ee, 
” \ . 4; te 
" f ; ( i wig r 
{ ' ve 4 
, Ee ho 
} 
ta ‘ } ’ } tl 
‘ ,) 
{ 
3 J ts . ‘ 0 i 
: i ' ¢ v 4 
\ ‘ ee DEL; ay ae 
f ; : ' D fers M } on 
he ’ ; WG 
5 i ’ a We ow : y 
j cpt ry it ipa y “y A 
‘ \ ’ x 
: , bY; , 
47 j ai " t 
+ - WAR \ ' ys \' 
- “ ’ * . 
: nce i f fi olga 
4 au , Nee COM ets 
f Ky ‘ : 
yen TT Lhe ' ’ ne . { Wick a4 
: < , ’ i : a ie) os , 
% vy ) eta rd 
r ” 
‘ 
C ‘ 
r 
' 
at Te 
. “4 
ech wee hb ‘ 4 
) : git i id i 
vate ; i : i% eee y 50 Al aks ties 
‘ F 4 te es | . k. ‘ make ag nee 
4 4 ' 
A ; 
' d 
pi i 
y ay j 
« 4 e\ 
a) F oy 7 | 


quantity left below. The different mines show great variation in 
this respect, some gobbing four-fifths of the pyrite, others loading 
out the greater part of it, the variation depending upon mining 
methods, treatment at the surface, and the discipline of the foreman 
over his men. 


Methods of Recovering Pyrite. 





In most mines in the State more than one-half of the pyrite is 
gobbed, that is, stacked within the mine slong with slate and other 
refuse. In fact, the miner who loads "sulphur"™ out in the mine cars 
is often punished in some way. The war time agitation for clean coal 
made gobbing even more necessary, for with rapid loading at the 
tipple, and where picking tables were not installed, it was impossible 
to hand pick the pyrite and insure a shipment of clean coal. fMThis 
gobbing of pyrite not only buries for all time a product which has a 
value, but in a high sulphur coal creates the constant danger of the 
mass taking fire. The pyrite as mined can be thrown to one side and 
loaded out separately each day. A few men can be detailed to clean 
up this waste during the night, or gob piles can occasionally be 
moworked during dull seasons or years. ‘The latter has been done with 
profit in pre-war times and the other schemes have been suggested, 
although it must be confessed that they are generally only possible 
when prices are high. 


"Sulphur," "bone," slate and "fireclay”™ brought to the surface 
are generally picked from the mine cars on their way to the tipple, 
picked out by men who stand in the "flat" or railroad car during 
loading, or later removed from the top of the flat as it stands on 
the Siding. Heaps of such waste can often be seen under the tipple, 
and often special hoppers, chutes, mine cars or wheelbarrows are used 
to convey it to a larger dumping ground. Occasionally what accunmu- 
lates in a day would be worth saving, but generally this is not 
practicable. 


Commercial recovery of sulphur valls is quite probable where 
the coal passes over shaking screens or over regular picking tables 
and waste is removed under the scrutiny of from 2 to 10 or more men 
or boys. The waste is generally carried into seperate hoppers and 
removed to a dump. Not infrequently three-quarters of this waste is 
Sulphur balls. In many tipples with slight changes, the “sulphur” 
could be separated from the bone and other waste by throwing into 
Separate chutes or hoppers and a salable sulphur product be produced. 
Where a picking table is installed, the miners, even when not in- 
structed, soon load out more of the pyrite, and it is an easy matter 
to recover the greater part of it. The one mine in the State now 
producing commercial pyrite - No. 7 of the Mercer Coal & Iron Company, 
stonsboro = allows the men to load out everything and depends upon 
an efficient group of picking table workers to see that the final 
coal product is clean, at the same time saving and marketing the 
pyrite, which is of the platy type. Picking tables are coming into 
more general use every year as the only sure means of getting a clean 
coal from a sulphury or dirty mine. Their wide use will give us 
large quantities of sulphur balls, and it behooves every operator of 


ES Na 





we 
2 (Mle 
' ¥ 
» vhs 


frothy 


ve 
‘ vas 

aye 4 
ren, 
vat 


* 
{ 


Py 
3“ 


uy 





ar 


SORT, 


+ 





f Uar 
th 


a We 
i) 


¥ 


hidy 
f 






w! iets 


i 1 \ 
yt 0 




















fe 
WJ 


~ 


a 

He 
; 
iw 




















‘y) 


@ picking table to collect, clean and market this material. He is 
then rid of the serious menace of burning sulphur piles but also in 
many cases its sale will pay for the operation of the picking tables. 
Already there are many operators who greatly desire to be rid of the 
waste heaps. 


Where coal is crushed and washed for coke oven use, a refuse of 
Slate, bone and pyrite is GR DGr ays Which up to this time has not been 
utilized in this State. Samples of washery refuse, when examined, 
showed sulphur content averaging 20 per cent, stein roughly would 
indicate 40 per cent pyrite in the refuse. The . pyrite exists in sizes 
from very fine scales to 2-inch lumps, and the quantity Which could be 
recovered by rewashing depends mainly upon the proportion of fine 
scaly pyrite present, as this is not easily recovered. 


If a washery produces 30 tons or more of waste material which 
runs over 15 per cent sulphur it is generally possible to ins tall a 
rewaSh plant at low expense, Wea can extract 50 to 75 per, cent of 
the pyrite and produce it in a grade of at least 40 per cent sulphur. 
This material is marketable and i well worth produc ving. The waste 
from each washery is a problem by itself, for the form of pyrite in 
the coal, and the type of washer used gives each waste a distinctive 
character. Plans for rewashing cach waste must be made only after 
careful experimental work has been eee on, preferably by one 
experienced in concentrating pyrite or other metallic sulphides. The 
plant in general will consist of rolls, screens, ore jigs, and 
possibly concentrating tables, end should not cost over #10, OOO. 
Although a plant could be devised which would save #11 the pyrite, 
its design would be complicated and expensive, and it is usually 
better, with pyrite a low priced substance, to be satisfied with a 
less perfect recovery in a muck simpler and less expensive plant. 


4 suggestion as to equipment necessary for a plant which ordi- 
narily should extract 70 per cent of the prrite present, is given in 
an accompanying flow sheet (Plate I). The use of the concentrating 
table to treat the Second bed middlings gives a chance for a greater 
capacity than if such material is crushed and returned to the jigs. © 


Cleaning Plants. 


Successful - treatment of the coarse lumpy pyrite coming from the 
gobs, the cars, or the picking table, to produce a clean high sulphur 
product has been carried on in special plants operated either at 4 
large mine by the mine operator, or by an outside company buying the 
crude lump from various mines. In either case it is usually possible 
not only to get a clean salebdle pyrite but also a quantity of clean 
coal which originally adhered to the pyrite lumps. 


The erection of centralized cleaning plants of this type moy be 
the solution of the problem of the small mine, or group of small 
Mines not able as individuals to produce or clean their pyrite but 
which could afford to sell the uncleaned waste at a low price to the 
cleaning plant for treatment. f#rom the cleaning plant a regular 
‘Steady flow of high grade pyrite would pass to the acid plant. 


~ Fw 


tite , me tf 
on $ 
N 
: eR 
‘he 
) a: R 
+ Va WAT 
i & baton 
s 
‘ 3 “t t 
" \ 
1 5 
1 
Py ay 
jo.) Fr ae 
ae Aa 
ap Abe 
. iS ey 
i * 
very ra ‘ 
, a vou 
Mia : 
Pit eae ‘ 
ory ; tay Rave 
LF : 
nN ty p i 
/ ‘ >) 
ne “y i 
¥ a F ‘ 
a 
, i 
% 
: 
j : 
"| 
’ 
‘ 
\ 
j 
Y 
\ f \ ' 
‘ 
5 
4 
\ 
bie 
‘ 
| 8 
: 
| 
‘ 
} ) a 
: , ir 
a 
t 
TE dy 
} i 
% : : 
rit 
i 
; AE a) 
ima yay $ i 
5 iy 
: i 
hse 
a tied? 
¢ ‘ 
i 
an 
Py a Fi 
aa 
(ws 
’ 
i 
iy . 
hw \ 
PEnay / A 
~ 1 












mat 
Sab. 


ait 












W Kita} in vu Rony ne 
As tee es 
Ae. ea tig ath 
‘ ‘ rt 
M hv wi fet r ‘ ‘ id ty \ t 
, \ J T ” ‘ . 









* 


ai 
Ay dike we 


‘ 
t 


tart “tsi . 
Vika UL ae tk 
Ma tele fv? 








































Bf a Bae \ 
1 Ce 
: \ " had 
f Wie Es: f ) Br 
} i Aish GAL ARRW ac - i 
aie | Pays ti 
{ j U SES i BA ¢ 
; : ig ‘ * 
: j i l ae 
oe! Ver l tiw t i ‘ 
é ; 
lf 
His ¢ 
Tey kd : " ts tie 
\* : : d i 
A ' . bs » : " iy 
tk Bei fs Be el ie aL Ae Be y) 2 
‘ . 
Pahl ' , AWS ay Wy aY +1 
; } ' ’ y TaN La eRe 4 Ma 
’ I ba 
if f 
' rey AP HY | WA Ags i \ A \ 
, VaR Vet i iB alte Nik) Pa ica UC ’ 
\ yy ‘ i yd ie 
{ eee ja 
atl ‘ + 7 ‘ ( 
’ v 
i 
: ‘ . hd “ way, " { 
Ni ) i : ups i rh Si Vay ? 
f i 
i Aaa pits ' 
« ~ i . | 7 
’ ; j nr ae 
i in ath f ait ta. ‘ bas 
\ ‘ 
4 ' i eee 4% J ‘ at ? h 
, , igh { } (iy ' . Lak A ee a , “4 we 
| ’ I 
' j hey * 
‘ \ j , ¢ i ; 
aaenuientyakl: lett SINR cal a iin sia 
r BAN, 1 
t } ‘ } iF alae nq Sy nee ry; F 
\ , ie wm Pion ee ay ie ye OF - 
5 t | 7 ; Wh Wott nh oD {iluee > 
j yA ‘ Pay ‘ 4 Fins eae wwig of NV ie ae 
Ph a ! ACH EDN APA DR Te 
v { : 
4 
‘ Prey: | , neh huis bte Oa PAE Barat 
| ae : { ; f i i {2 I Per ity By fv : Ui 
vil i i 7 ( Vite wast , ny Dae 
ae Le ih EAs CTR ND HP UPA Bhs Choe ee 2s, Otte ey 
A ; , 5 Ans be aie 
H i BG ‘ M , Se ee ae 2 f ‘ ive 
4 
: ' i ~ 
i bik oh) ah ; ‘ , Ab , anh pe ok ae ree hs 
; Rea Et eae econ WAGERS I td th? MWh! ARB Ble Seah 
f ; eave : j a ay 
‘ i ‘ , 
nit t in hs a) 
7 icy 4 ¥ 
4 } W 1M A j 
! ’ i 
| . ae Vey, , 
: ' \ ‘ ' 
! Pid Php ted eg eR y 
I » : lr 
i es , oM } ‘ea - 4) 1 Whe 
j i hi j \ } putt DAVIES aA AAAS ie RO 
i ‘ 
} 
, | 
‘ , 4 
iJ | 
Sa | p te te . 
7 PLAT at OVA eet A yedt Katee © 
H io > kent , ted rey te 1 
i b \ 
> 
J : y 
j yA ee i nt . 3 af Ph oh 
" tL Ae Act WELD UE (TP BEY STINE BOF | GAP tre 4 
J ; j Me J p i CT ct 
,¥ , " ie Te {| ‘ i f ' : ole ae Py pe Ty a 
ene a ihe i < en a ve Rik hated ‘ hcg Hip Oe ie Bu ty Rae hid 
i , 
bail by Tie ee ote Se yo by Oe eS 
Pave ies VE Aoi Ni rg eh 
b J ) 4 1 Wnt ag ) As) WRN 1h 
a ; falas’ 
. i } Mi : 
i ee ere pa Beh ogy hs 29 eT a tii 
] WALT Behe Te ee, Hy Pua e ds £5. fy faa wha va) 
j : 7H! pad 
’ , H ’ 
i , . f y i ae v 
ad Pe ms) (Pey, on adi Oui rev sne vale gid: 
i yi ! Hy 
fists ee at ick eae | ite wae 
, : i 
, 
" 
eiiul 
& { F 
; pay ru 
\ y 






j pens Ye 
Pah . t 
i) at 





Pinte. 1 








Washery Refuse 


| 


y 
Smooth Rolls /OXL4 











} 
| 
| | 
Pe Gitsta ct 4 | Caves ah : 
PRevoluing Screen 
Y | 
Oversize Unclersiz € | 
| Y | 
Smooth'PRo/ls | 
10° (2a" Two Compartment Ore ECUNESs, Hig 24 X24 | tes 
Peer ‘a 
. YS weed it J8* Butoh 27% bag ano igh ap ie 
| Pyrite Pyrite Pyrite eas | | 
y y Medecllings | 
PISA a y y 70 Aes 4 
Shipping 810 Smaoth Rolls 10X12" | | 
Crus ; to %y" | : 
Ve TD Ono icc. ce 
Or 1f clesirecl 


Concentrating Ta ble 


| Cote ear ee ea Aes To 


Y Y y 
Pyrite Midcellings Tailings 
., at ¥ 

Bet) Aesth rah Aiki 
To Ourtp 


Flow sheet for concentration of Pyrite From Véashery refuse. * 


as, BSR ee Roe Dt Areca pebiae ore SN 







in ————~ ead ee 


SURE enemy wae weget COANE. 
ae 


avy DA thaay ik paynyes % se on alg 
Mie a) 





these \ ae Atay ay od Behr ay whe ey 
n ' ‘at 
} ‘ "i } cy, 1 
; vt, oy, Mi 
Z }, + 
4 ‘ 
i ¥ as mi Cid 
9 \ 
4) AR ane rt be 
ay \ - ae Me : P i % 
” & ’ ‘ : 
nea diy wey dt, tet poe eel dee seein pel late? neater tie 
A | By in bth, Papal ree at wad 
vi tty “4 a8 is é Hs Ne aud aay, 
CM Nv ae Ve t tg 
- I e OG q i 
} aes ; 
| { ; 
ri 4 \ 1 oe 1 ¥ 
¥ * ' 
Ds ea AN ‘ 
’ Ye bok vas 
e 
b 4 * 
4 
fi . ae 
’ f 
Ay ” 
EE EBUN a al 
Lh: aan | in ey Hy 
pm al 4 i 
p tha eS ‘TANS Ur a a vet te? 
: , / "“y . 
xi 4 
, 
‘ 
7 
* ' ‘ 
4 
' 
. , 


<a 


Complete plants for such cleaning can be erected fer $20,000. 
Here again the nature of the pyrite has a great influence on design 
of plant, percentage of extraction, and sulphur content of finel 
product. Jif the balls are firm and free from interlaminated coal, a 
high grade product can be obtained with only moderate crushing, while 
in others cases the mass must be crushed fine and much trouble may 
then be caused by "sliming."” 


Plate II shows the flow sheet suggested by the United States 
Bureau of Mines for a plant: to treat 100 tons of crude ore of good 
quality. The recovery should be 62 per cent of the pyrite present, 
the final product analyzing 45 per cent sulphur. In this case, very 
little adhering coal was present so that no attempt was made to save 
it. The crude material was above the usual quality end, by crusning 
to one inch and jigging, most of the pyrite could be recovered, In 
Plates I and II lst bed pyrite means pyrite lumps larger than the 
#-inch round hole screen of the first bed of the jig; ist hutch pyrite 
means the fine pyrite which passed through the screen of the first 
bed of the jig and was saved at the bottom. Middlings means pieces 
containing both coal (or slate) and pyrite which mst be recrushed to 
get a cleaner product. 


A more complex flow sheet designed to treat pyrite less firm anda 
pure, and also to recover the adhering coal, is that worked out by 
Mr. He As Holbrook of the U. S. Bureau of Mines Expcerinent Station, 
Urbana, Illinois, and published in Circular 5 of the Engineering 
Experiment Station, University of Illinois Bulletin. This flow sheet 
is showm in Plate III. The circular gives full details as te oosts, 
equipment, plan of proposed plant, etc., and should be helpful to © 
anyone crecting Such a plant. The estimated cost of such @ plant is 
Siven as #18,000, based on 191% prices of equipment. 


Market. 


Pyrite for acid making is generally bought ana sold at priccs 
based on.the unit of sulphur present, a unit representing one per 
Went Of sulphur. Pyrite quoted at 20 cents per unit and analyzing 
40 per cent sulphur, would sell for 40 x 20¢ or $8.00 per ton. Pre- 
war prices ranged around 10 cents per unit and war prices as high as 
20 or 30 cents per unit. Goal pyrite, however, has always brought 
less than these quotations, which are based on pyrite such as the 
epanish ore. In buying coal pyrites, the specifications often call 
for an ore running not less than 44 per cent sulphur, and not more 
than 8 per cent carbon, which means roughly, not over 16 per cent 
adhering coal. In'presenf furnace practice, there is a demand for 
Doth lump pyrite and for “the fine material, the "fines," contrary to 
general belief, often bringing as high or higher price then the lump. 


We are unable to give any definite prices on coal pyrite, for 
quality varies so greatly that the producer must arrange individual 
prices with the buyer, the price securcd depending on the froedom 
from adhering coal, texture of the product, the quantity available, 
etc, Previous to the war one buyer gave quotations of 12 cents per 
unit for hand cleaned lump pyrite running 40 to 45 per cent sulphur 
and 8 to 10 cents per unit on pyrite running 40 to 38 per cent sulphur, 


wan Rt) aie 











oe “ wh 
" i 
1 7 
P na ia \ ; ; 
Pana nf 
f ‘ : af 
RUA. SRE cate 4 
f 4 ina bia 2 ahs “y bys 





Bere a Setaans Foy) Cua cg bt of em SAU ~ 

















Ne ' i i ; ; - 
. . { ‘ bi Ad See ws wane A ial sa! GAS 
Rae. see ren Tes oie tk FER ota A 
: ' , ‘ ay 
i ce : F , ays eS ¥ oval sae 
‘ iy y (i ata RY ENT alt aay res AEG : au Ni a 
‘ ' ars a) ae 
ABU any we eh 
’ 
’ 
‘ ' 
n ah, t +4 by al ee oi 
: ‘ ear 
b i RY Ase ey 
f , bw id i 
h 
hin) Ne 
h 4 te f is ON) 
‘ 4 
h h 
' 
i eats nM 
Gas a POR 
\ . we 1 , 
b 
L) * * 
“ PR ‘ 
; . 
ee | ; f si 
' wey ; 7 ; y 
\ \ : fe Se 
& a” t* 4 ‘ 
| E Riess g 
? i hy ae t : As 
h tL 4 wf 
He \ sy ea we Via é : 
¥ ‘ 4 y vA . \ 
x 4 ra 
ey ees ipt i aD A, 
j wpa te . 
4 it < 
¥ tea 
i f Cok 
f ’ 4 ’ 
' i 
q ; : 
a] " 4 
F j ’ “9 ‘ } 4 
] t a ast By ee) mat assy tee 
i 7 
i] vy qf 
1 { ' ne ae S Bite mir y ; 
i ; 
Ve oA oy 
ory ‘ yw) V 
” cabal 4 ‘ 
v th ¥ gy fi 
{ 
apa ie POs ha eM | ee 
“ i ‘ . 
4 ; : sa A ” ta al i 
f ‘ TN RS oe ¥ Vy ean % An EF yh MAH es Puy 
eS cf J ; 4 ee ' mys r : ( as a Oh p 
ith atk nee th Ree Le fa 
| , ial by hy Te § 
i . ‘ re 1s % Gi 
‘ y m é ! ‘| i aR 
j ; oak gh Fe AY) cto Ae ae, ¢ 
f 
,2 
4% i > 656 
; 7 ig eh rie Sais oe i Pee 
i i ‘ ey 
M mn we ag ' at i AY My Rive ae OV a 
. j ar i ol 4 eal le 1 
’ 
Z 
j 
me ) , 
fm 42 vi J a 
pone arn 
‘ “ 
* aS 
airy 1 mie 11} hing 
z t ' Pe iy I 
; i hy 
(f. Ae ae Oe 
t ; i% 4 ; f H 
i wn / , i i 
ri 
a 7 ie i? 4 , 
( Ke 4 4 , ® Fi. : ' * 
4 i en nif ia ¢ AVS i: yi PERE 
‘ i | Wag. Lia Wan AP eh Ae Ri? ay 
4 oP! are dy ate \ 
* ! ‘ 1 Sea , 
: / ! e ; it ie P Raee get; 
¢ 
1 , j , ‘ ny . < , wee” oo ae 
M ‘ ay f j Y Wasa 4 Ap Macy ies UES A Gh 
, I ; : 5 ae | } ii ‘ ; fa 
i ' ’ ‘ ‘ Ty a, i an 
ini j eye Woe Ue it er See ss Nia ys a le ’ 
; Op" JATEE NL STAG Saeinen Fal OE rh ate ¢] y de Mie if 
i ; ' ° a ee! PRE p EY ae acc 
nee # os ta os PA om ig ates Oe Ane Ate ; 
PvRgety i hte t \ apt, oh a q win! 
f i 7 Te dies Es a ‘ ' : Tika ; ras) ay » 
Wis ‘ se ah ee eel Wh Aha vipiyih 
\ i 4 Dt ; (one hee’ A a 
inf peg) ee nd ta Ae eh ba a in 
4 ! by j ery te in eiioe, Me ; * wy iat» ues j sty? 
, 4 j qr bry 5 se wl) i" 4 Ve : 
. il aig " ie pet phe, £ baw ms, Lem cw i tie } 
; / j 
( 
"i 
\ 
* nat Fi 
‘ 4 t ‘ 
t 4 
\ 
4 
ay } f 7 
. : 1 4 
> i a 
>, y 
; Pia wi iy { t ‘J : 
‘ 
, j ” He pat ae 
ie i? a. f J ee 6 
4 ot oP, { 
* Jit, i Pa vi 
1 A 
‘ ;'.4 is 
( P 
, y ager 4 A 
Be a ay / 
a hi , F { 
whitd H ( yet 
a f 
ij ) 
i4 yt y f 
fi ‘a ‘ 
7 ii 
f ten 


Si et nett 











Yt Z i 
; at ’ f s 
Ud Ge pM fo O 
LL er Tet I ee pen 
a 
4 a i r. é 
> GOyr TORY "SOCK PusSAer 
nf 
Ee an f f . 
TOMS (Crushiip Tol Ack 
4 
‘iF QP yh two COMm Dp & pT MCNT ttf 
tee ; 4 ‘ Ae) 
¥ us | ¥ 
ot Steny . | 0 
oe ‘he 1ST 50 yoef wet Be hs wigan ay 
yh sre eB if his s if CAtah PCy OE yc, 
(ie a A Bd ies gt 2 feurtite j-yr TP ; Tat hin 
Raed dene - df 
\ =“ A hm j 
-—-—->- peat! to eh. 
‘ 
pub dry he ps 
Na) hilPorr gg A/p | 
~omecivmemenee () y 
| a iN Be 
Le 4 LADS, /t? fe 
j iy 
| } 
wk a | | 
Concentretine. 7ab/e 
re a eee —s v = acd 
| : Se ee 
v Yy [ 
| : | | , 
} \ ; — /, ; fn, 
Py as M4 | allen! LAOS Coa 
is ig hes 7 
| | 3 ! 
Ne Ne 
¥ ‘ 
| Revere: i 
| Flow sheet for caper 
. af Cry CK > BF / ros’ ieee j Hee om , , 
| oN SAAC AIO CIPANITE hoi Ue} l-Purite 
‘ 
| 


fm * 
ra —_ 
, 
“ae 
TS 


TL RL EE RE A i ce ee 


sited ph hetec ay earthy to : 


Pobesnintioniye: Vane Ger bene tow neon yet 
' par iak F , 


{es 
j 
" 


a Ot i ES 
yn ia 
a 


Ly’ pany habryhirive. ke pen rnp i 


\/ 
A raed 





tte Nie ees einaly mmm 





Hand picked pyrite 


Yaw erigher pasar 





7 
' 

] 
A 
i 
| 
| 


waa 
| Efevator i rs ay Di So ES 
Y 
4, | Clean coarse 
eee ane dca LSS Pyrite 
: dapat ¥ AG 
BoD eS gh gS opening Dp od gpeict 
at, i NiTtley fable 


re Stas 


7a Hines Concentrare 
ab 085 ¥ Concentrales meet 


| 
\Ad told //. are ES 
aN 
ney oY" | 
—_ | 
Clean COA Reach #) ; 
Screen/ags S'Ze (far ise) (Re aie Byci te | 

oS PR Ea eSNG Rg ney et Ret oa eshilemeeal 
nie et ee ery “ 7 | 

| 

Clear COB Ready! Py aly Yo AG 17/77 | 
Cp Li7 
No. 5 Nut tar usev ¥ Py rh tte : 
aaa cian Barn ee a fa) cay farShigment) 


wa fer seffliemens - 
oe tia as 3 
Sluclge (to waste) Cledrwater __ _y! 


Simp Heed How sheet Pyrite-Coalconcen tration 
(After Eat Bureau oF Mines ) 


Pile. te TIT. 








sd 
* 
be 
“fF 
Ti * 
; ial 41>. 
aah 
* _ wv 
bid yy 
ih 
PNY 
hy 
1 <i 
‘ 
nr 
' 
Tey 
- 


ti 
J ayy 
fn t 
‘ igs x 
Cay Be ROE Fy 
ae We 
4 
>) s} 
eG ty 4 
a 
ii ae 
, w oe can 
He 
«> , 
awh ar 
- We | hw h 
A 
4 
ee ae Re H 
44 ; 
” 
a 
" 
it, . 
ta 
of ‘ 
& 
ss f 
14) Be rte 
Ay ” ad 
. ‘ * 
{ ye ; 


Wa riba bad 


ati | “we Rats yy ‘ _ 7) ui a, 
















Att we 


4. Ae Pay NYS) Bee. 


‘ 
ES 
19 - igi festg 7 
Fi i 
via ‘ 1 
* 
ae 
vy % uty : i ‘ 
anes Wn] a 


‘ bpm tdi Smee vows 
a AAD Fad ra Was HY ab: 


% 


Siute 5 ole ey» 


4 
eae a 


228: fee HPAP 








i i , 
% ' ' nd a 
TR TAS ale) Sigel TAN aa ; 
vo. pi Ses Bee stink Ae 
: . Z 
i 
Ly i 
‘ 
y 
i“ \ 
are we ete 
. 
Se P) 
: A 
rh’ 
= j 





Ai a) 


“es 





or from $3 to $5 per ton. , Offers for uncleaned waste material have 
been made at $2.50 per ton, Well cleaned washery pyrite at present 
(1918) is stated to bring $4.50 a ton, These figures are given to 
Show the general trend of prices which will run from $2.50 up to 
probably $6.00 or $8.00 according to circumstances, 


Pennsylvania is conveniently located with respect to markets for’ 
pyrites, sulphuric acid being manufactured in Baltimore, Philadelphia, 
and New York City, Syracuse, Ni Y., Buffalo, ’N. Y:, Warren, Pa., 
Cleveland, Ohio. ; Natrona, Pa,, Beaver Falls, Pa., Cincinnati, Ohio, 
Fairmont, W. Va., and many other localities within reasonable dis- 
tance. Most of these manufacturers are not using coal pyrite now 
Simply because they have not been able to secure a well cleaned 
product, low in carbon, With a properly constructed. concentrating 
plant, turning out a clean product, especially in the fine state, 
there is no reason whatever why coal pyrite should not be purchased 
and used in place of other types, In fact, one authority on the use 
of pyrite believes that properly cleaned coal pyrite iS superior to 
what is known as "ndén-cuprous washed fines" from Spain. 


Concentrating plants properly built by individual coal companies, 
by several companies cooperating, or by outside companies who may_ 
purchase crude pyrite from various mines, ought to be able to produce 
&@ salable product at a good profit. 


Occurrence in Pennsylvania, 


The distribution of pyrite throughout the coal beds is so 
irregular that general statements are hard to make. A bed may be 
free from pyrite in one district while in an adjoining district it may 
be one of the most pyritiferous of all the beds. Again, where several 
beds are mined in one district, some may be extremely sulphury and 
others free from sulphur, 


The principal coal beds in Pennsylvania with their letters or 
Other designations are as follows: 


Pittsburgh 

Upper Freeport (E or Lemon) 
Lower Freeport (D or Mosghannon) 
Upper Kittanning (C’or Potbed) 
Lower Kittanning (B or Miller) 
Clarion (A7) 

Brookville (A); 


The lower coals, Clarion and Brookville, are the most likely to 
be high in pyrite and are usually "dirty," that is, high in "bone" 
and Slate. The Freeport and Kittanning coals are variable, the Lower 
Kittanning coal being generally higher in sulphur than the others, 
the Pittsburgh coal is generally low in sulphur, with the exception 
of the area west of the Monongahela River and bordering on West 
Virginia and Ohio, where some of it is rich in sulphur balls. 


The most promising fields for pyrite production seem to lie near 


anes yee 









































AV OT Va J 
j on 
a ‘ 
‘ i 
ani i 
1 : 
; arr 
; : 
+ uy 
: her re t 4 wes, oAbe 
} jae 6 A 
y 4 J 
1 4 ? 
ey BV vhs i 
; 4 , } hoe oie & y 
* te 5 oo ? ee rit feat a eee ay if v ¥ ht ee 
) \ x Lt ss A aah ol, tary r,) 
s . hv #, ' 
7. ay. ; ey * ry 
‘ ' . ‘ hg i 77)" ew AL A. L 
o f 4 ae cl anes ihe he ate ‘ 
r Y c & La) ~ Stn deh Wd " 
: %. > ¢ a 
ay \ i vs ‘ ; } i Se 
4 * 7 , “a 
‘« * - V = ‘ a\4 y 
4 ' , n be ’ tng ise ve 
; ‘ ' ¥ e | ty rahe Ga Og RIN ‘ + 
’ “h Hy. AE ae di } <u, he my ne oy Wes ' an uy Z " *< Ht om 
+ { Me e v4 mt My om | ny itiod Has / ia a ad > mae pe 
My " Vex U2 pels ' Ay My y a 
Z 4 » oa ET Fs i vei ; At Wy ‘ eh 
fer 3 os ney Te Sa ean §: +f yy, ays soial Siete ie . 
\ fi ath dan Pb ie bea hone Peet, 1s a he ¢ 
A f ‘ : ve aa | 4 hay, 
i i } ee } . Peay sa ib ’ 
Ba Waa SPREEN 6001 F i weld 
' 
| a leeans ie ee | ines 
a iy 4 ‘ ALN 
| : Lae ea Wasi Se ie 
wus ; . v . f DL ee, Deki Bere’ “ Ty | es PS ; ts 
: para AS 7 ed + . » rs, bik ete A sd i ay cB Ge | yy. a iene 4 a a ih 
} 7 ' i a SL ff wt , Ph At ; 
- a is | 1s v “ls 
’ ts ‘ ’ he OF Aur ee 38. ee 4 , a baer 4 > * 3 a I 
Rar A! 2 ’ - ‘ a 
Cee Pideer Gem, BON an nT ele Canaan 
AA . ae i A Tee ie ae & iy yy * 3 fin “oe Nae OMS \ 
¥ 4 4 
= ¢ f 
| 
- I A ae , _ o! kt ie etd * The § “yf ibs 
+ l, se q Aes, es My ee wth tae iy @fe een ary 
, - - PS yey p r uy Alp 5 Pa oe 4 = sis ve x ‘t rs 
; / ‘a! eet af et i suds ee ar are ar iow s Pe “rel m o 
3 - Tike ih ; . 4 vt nal \* iy Ney: ae coe be Me ’ 1 TAS.14 nih 7 et 
o- bd * 4 . * ink . 
‘ } a fhe bse Th 7 A at 
- ° ' / . : MY i hy hg non 'y Vik 4 ee ae : al 
+ , i, é 
* I é th deg ‘ 2ouy 
@*! setgee Vie Shee 
4 ee ie 
* . ‘ 
of ¥ 
- fs §' a ss 
- we Al an i ry, « , 
ft at? Pen Beer kt ty 
F inh *. pues - aa reer ye ae | F 
fl 
\ if 1 
: ‘ Aw Ph eee ae 
‘Se ’ Lh tat 4 ‘ Le hy 4 
f ; } ; j ' * YR ei ee aie a 
1 , ae) eee hey be 
a { ; . ; ‘ 4 vr) j ( ‘ i, ( uy allt - * 
; f : ' ahh te i ay i Saws 
‘ “ite, j i i f 
? 3 x ‘ ; Fy oat mene 
{ Anh Tent 
‘ pare ‘ a | ‘aif ee Fs ky. hae Bi » Dial Rata ri fis] 
; iw id ‘ Dea ern Lie 3 a ar wh i) ds og eae vy 6 ed bia 
" van , : Vag oe ne 
3 ? ue ie Ww . «, 
) 
ae bi het 
h ie allie | 
‘i | 
: 4 i f 
; a 2 2 re At 
P ; ed ‘ “ey 
hs > iy eo rv f 3 ie Fe iow Ave 
: 4 4 4 as yw 
r w 7) aN Sed i} 
sip keer leh Mies eae 
di + 
’ 
{ > be bind) oi? 
ae ‘° ‘ fi ; 
‘ 7 ‘ Lad on, = os i ® 
? { 3 : ; AVA : 
: ‘ Wala ecty i *), ) , r4 | se Mr ut we ds | A 
u eid d ‘ A my hen 
. : ! } . 6 it) yas mn) wiles. 
‘ § » q } ‘ - of my AW, . 
“ - : tae 
t F Td ore wien i ep ex ive yi ry As few’; : 
ee i ‘ { ar as uu 
aa i ios 
- j 4 - * 
ct \ f be ‘ Yeupre hg g Ash Oey uf 
pe es oom) : is ; MI 44 ae 
. b Less ; a ‘ bles 4 h ; , 
‘ o on YN 
; y > dee eet id. end al 
; ' i i Hy sere a . \ fae 
‘ Ave ve 
. d & ey ure bith sO } 
; : R th | hae rf of Lie ab Hohe "|: ue a Rh | 
j tM } pene: ; ‘ bye 
. ; q ‘ (| i iy 
4 F vi if a ANA MD) i v wk ui! Jia 
f ‘ ian Ah Pika bead: 
a mcsstet sacs GC DRA e RA Hi oun’ pean vee sein 
OM sg RE RRS a: Pemba mt ken °F sh Pat * 
r " » ie |, re t ve ‘ . 2 ih 
ih i ie ‘ ' ye Waser wee 
7 dec, Cap iMate ; Nae, q1 i” 
1 } i 
: PRY UE PA SY eee 
‘ * ee wy 4 ' 
i SUES ei ee 
i. 
/ é ‘ haat ih 7 mA 
Uys Maat aoa sale le 
f al 
i ob ‘ps a ' } 
- 4 
. aft , 
Wis 5 
ei , 
; j 
; 
+ 
; Tay erty tt 
a tid P hi ) 





Plate IV. 

















AO TR Taian 
‘ae | | | Vine 
Br agerren : ie KE AN 


a ed 













vs 
= 
| WARREN. | Smeihport™ 
aN } Lay { 
erm AA FORD: |! | | | f Dye 
can a lit teh ee Fee Stam AS Us tee po | 
ae | ae | i \I-. iS 
‘ 4 . ‘ ie ; ‘ . \ a 
ne Rte ah ae ns sa Wisse F Om Sine (ts : gE Sa a ICAM ON 
; | Franklin hee ON aU LN iid eat 
Stonebore ly VE N ANG oO i | i (rajPa ffus Mines md 
| ety a a B aaa 
: al ae g° hice, 
PA ne ce oe ; oe ee enon 
yeepemgon TC 
Se 6 nardus in 
OU E ~MHelvetia lear Lag Py 





) Se Sg Oe a FIELD ge: 
; 2 Vint mm 


Phillipsburg 


‘ Yo EP lalate 


















on Ws a 


4 


Butler ARMSTRONG! 
Kittaanin 


ae Ha ah A NON / 
16 


mura lyrne yr | e | 
i e cap IE Joana RIA My A ty 






ee en 


Bee * woe caret BLAIR Is, 
i aS: Fase 1 eGueny | mera io Wehfine sist el enspire\ a 





a Pilgaat a y MLS Virtopeehesthenty an 
EBS ur gertstown Cone! A is 
Re CS AWESTMORELAND, // . a | 
Gate rue uemens bur ATA ins: eae 
WASHINGTON O% oh Sy AN et ne 
py } » os ' rise ; if / 

rae ee fy 
a = awe Ti Sy taf i ae, 
3 spigceache: A Vay” } ( Ex ene 

Pao Nr ep ; : Somerget 

‘cali Meee Dr ORD 
aa AY ET aye OMERSET 
C9 7 a ae ae Uniontown] . 
AD \ ; eh | \ ’ oan | ; 1 
ere AN - , { cx re 
3 pene ele ee ee ee EAR ARS (ant SOA ATSC ROS akin OU aNe eR pe } 
H Coal - RRA te, localities in western Pennsylvania 


eens 


; Xk 
Py, Neate ay we anor 


PRET IE HY ‘ 
eee AUR 
MLTR A aR tie 5 Ke Oe 


‘ 


of 


sip CT He te 





the northern, northeastern and eastern margins of the bituminous 
basin, or in the small sub-basins or synclines into which we find the 
main field-divided as we pass around its margin. On this account 
Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, Butler, and Mercer counties furnish the 
best possibilities. . 


Description by Districts. 


(Locality numbers refer to corresponding numbers on map, Plate IV). 


2 


Stoneboro, Mercer County, (Ioa. 1) Here, on the northwestern 
margin of the bituminous coal field, the Brookville coal is mined by 
the Mercer Iron & Coal Company. ‘Their larger mine, No. 7 is a shart: 
mine, about 15 miles west of Stoneboro on a branch of the New York 
Central Railroad, Practically all waste material {bone and pyrite) 
is brought to the surface with the coal and is carried over picking 
tables where ten men throw out the waste and later separate the 
pyrite from the bone. The pyrite or "sulphur" occurs in plates 1 to 
e inches thick and averaging’possibly 6 inches in diameter, with an 
occasional ball of fist size, which is less pure. The plates are 
Slightly laminated and of a dull yellow color, From a production of 
600 tons cfitoal daily they recover 4 to 5 tons of pyrite and 12 tons 
of waste (bone and slate), This mine is the only one in the State 
which continually ships pyrite. For ycars the company has sold 
pyrite to paint and‘chemical companics, heir success should be an 
incentive to others, for this coal is no higher in sulphur than many 
other mines in the Brookville bed or mines on other beds to be 
described later, 





Argentine ~ Hilliards District, Butler County, (loc, 2) Along 
the Hilliards branch of the Bessemer and Leke Hrie Railroad in 
northern Buticr County there arc a number of mines working the Brook- 
Ville ’*coal, which in parts of the region is a double bed 6 to 8 feet 
thick, the division being marked by a fire clay binder, ‘Tho lower 
bench carries the platy pyrite in large quantity, and the upyer bench 
Carries the ball’ pyrite in lesser amount, ‘The ball pyrite is the 
purer of the two, 

The Standard Coal Mining Company, at Miller's Crossing, Brings 
but little pyrite to the surface except when driving headings, when 
they may bring out daily 20 tons of waste, one-fourth of it pyrite, 
This would make it appoar possible to get 5 tons of pyrite a day if 
it was not gobbed. No use is made of it at present. 


The Goff-Kirby mine, owned by the Butts Cannel Coal Company of 
Cleveland,:works the double Brookville bed, and with a daily pro-’ 
duction of 400 tons of coal brings to the surface 4 tons of waste, 
about one=half of which is pyrite, Should they install picking 
tables (and the writer understands that since his visit in July they 
have) and bring out all material now gobbed, they could probably 
produce 6 tons of pyrite a day. 


These two aré the most promising mines in the district for 
pyrite production. From them and the other mines, should the nee 
arise, the district could probably produce two car loads or 100 tons 


tahoe 





ala Sue RAliay 
(AR NE em LL 
py , 
. 
q f oe ve 
‘. ‘ > 
t 
‘ 
‘ L\ 
: ‘tT 
t * ' 
wie} 
b 
{ 
t 
, 4 tere 
i 7 
Pye aA 
i ¢ 
: 
j 
1 
‘ 
] 
. 
\ i 
' Ay 
i 
j 
* 
' i 
\/ ' 
‘ 
\ 
’ 
i 
{ 
' 
iA 
: 
/ 
: 
id i 
x { 
i 
b 
} shel 
af ‘ 
. v f 
/ 
‘ wer F 
i Ay ' 
ne j ’ 
J ‘ 
t Ld 
4 ry 
’ 
Pde 
‘ 
i 
eof 
cs 
iy wt 
t 1 
) 4 
Ay , 
3} ' 
Py j 









\ b me ls 
‘ ) ail a 
{ Cin bys a7 At i hv} COME Rue LED 
i i x satin wese rt Tha est 
f apc a Tie RA na ett 1 
Vibe i 1a : ,| RE ay Wve ‘ wy 
: 4 ef) il d 14 ue i ola 
i j 5 
. : AES 
< ‘ i haan ae R : ; Mbit 
r : OAL pee WS ' 1 Ga! ‘ Ave 
ty - 4 lak BS ee tah Le 
i ‘ i] ipl ‘ . : \ h . i} 
t , I * ; 
4 } aed lad : ade Fie 
ad BA ie Gain WA) Me oat 2 RE a Yi ; ier 
NEC RA ihe vd hil Fra Carns ey, bagel, ee NRE, CJ) aed Le: 
i f ‘ 4 y a j 
p 
u i 1) Ve Ry id rei 
P A yr pil WU 
ft Pay 
‘ 4 RA : 
‘ hewn vo ws 
- Note) Aan ae 
] Wega a ed 
f 
take f 
’ t 
: 4 
j rT. 
’ ea y sire ak Ne 
i ‘ na eee) gee aa; el 
be if pyr Ti a t Be pees ’ ies es ee? en ee 
Wate Ya * tik ‘ A Pat ity f { 
a he hl ae Mae Ena VA a vere Noa thi { 
Beat ny SOE IKE VE he. RRR RARER, NEN * 
; ¢ 1 ' y R ; AoA 
, i " Wy ee Oy BR kle sy =) i We y "ale ae om 
i git oh i iy mi seahiol i i { Foyt eed 
Meet ue TNE AR ae) SN en Babee N 
ae ht’ H i 
Fy ‘ Tek ik hy, ; « 
! y Cyn \ iy ( i ee RUTARD VALS 82 ud Ab ae Neer ee 
v fi | Leh mate sear yh kM ‘ 
‘ f s ! 7 
a i P F - Un ee yee ee Ry inde ie Gly nts fer oR ad) the us 
ih Vd. eh) tr i 1455, ae siiles ee aa | 
° 5 : a 
ea i'd ig i T : x 
, i 
’ ; \ or j tA 
it ¢ { ie ee a +e ry 
: a a ie , bi wee 
; v ae py or gut 
f , ty 
aT | t wma . fi 
' prea A Ne we | 4 4 
\ ‘ , % 
aw) ' i q 
U k Woes lel Daly May Pe ior y nie 
TT x 
} ‘ NEN ¢ Le 
















iy 
oY 
rh 








































Wey 7 ia % 
4 ry td i Po - \ Ri 
Natl ; f ree el \ yf 8 ied 
vi viap ei - m Wn * ‘ ry 
” / \ 
\ ha 
i ’ if ; t , ee 
F : » + 
. Ny 
A 5 44 
/ " Lo an 4 ‘ . , haa 
: i! ‘ \ ; s eet fae ig ors ta ron Pe ait 
Wi Pay Oe 
' i ‘ ’ ' } Ws 
y ' h \ i # ( 4 
) i : 
’ Wy gy ay 
xR A y ’ Hitt ay whe 
4% . 
Al 
t , ¢ * * 
* a q j x | } 
4 f ny « : Pate 
4 i A \y f 
¥ 
b bd 4 vs \ 
: 1 ; ‘ " e i 
’ , j . fv, ge  agt 
© ye os ‘ ; 
7 F “ A y " Tao , 
Me Y : | 
eer ; + Wd } Py 
Le] r “er / 
’ ty te 
Lie Ot RI ; ae 9 MCN 
) } wih Me A "i P 
, Me 
i te ; r ie 
J 4 , Md 
f iy, 
ne 
det 
‘ 7 4 
ie 
ie 
heyy 
bts 7, Mi 
\ 
“ i, ad 
mv ; 


be al 


ad } (edu 
me hon hw 





of pyrite a week. 


‘ 


Monterey District; Clarion.County. (Loc. 3) North of Red Bank, 
on the Allegheny River, are a few mines whose sulphur content is high. 


At’Sara Furnace (Catfish) is the Glenora mine of the Hagle Coal 
Company, producing daily 275 tons of coal from the Lower Kittanning 
bed. They have no picking table and no effort is made to’save the 
pyrite, which occurs as 3-inch plates, somewhat laminated, and as 
l-inch plates of better grade, Should the attempt be made to save all 


+ 


the pyrite, they could probably produce a carload (50 tons) a week. 


_- Just north of Sara Furnace is No. 1 mine of the Keystone Mining 
Company, producing 300 tons of coal daily from the iower Kittanning 
bed, Their waste piles show pyrite similar to that at the Glenora 
mine and a similar production of one car a week of pyrite could 
probably be maintained, . 


é 
- 


Going on up the river, the next mine showing much pyrite is that 
of the Monterey Mining Company, one mile south of West Monterey. The 
daily production is 300 tons of coal from the Glarion bed 36 inches 
thick. Pyrite balls up to 50 pounds were seen, though the average 
was fist size balls and lenses one inch thick, fhe pyrite balls 
appeared firmer and purer than those found in the Lower Kittanning p 
bed. Probably two cars of pyrite a month could be produced by careful 
sorting, 


‘Just north of West Monterey is the Church Hill Mining Company's 
mine, operated by the Monterey Mining Company. A 36-inch bed of 
Lower Kittanning coal is mined with its pyrite content about the same 
as at Glenora, giffing a possible production of one car of pyrite a 
‘week, 


From the whole district we could expect to obtain possibly four 
cars‘a week of hand cleaned pyrite. At present no picking tables are 
used, and what pyrite is brought to the surface is thrown on the dump 
piles. The district is served by the Pennsylvania Railroad, Allegheny 
Valley Division, ' 


Rimersburg District, Clarion County. {loc, 4) This district 
includes the mines of the Sligo Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroads 
The largest mine is that of the Acme Gas Coal Company at Rimersburg, 
Which has a daily production of 1100 tomb200 tons of coal from the 
Lower Kittanning bed. They pick from the cars‘15 tons of waste a 
day, Such waste being’75 per cent pyrite balls, three-quarters of it 
Streaky and laminated, one-quarter of it fairly solid plates, This 
would give a production of 12 tons of pyrite a day. The pyrite is of 
three types; a l-inch plate lying near the roof and carrying adhering 
bone; a-2 to 3~-inch plate of laminated material which whitens and 
disintegrates rapidly; and knotty balls of bright pyrite, 


The other mines of the district work the same bed and produce a 
Similar pyrite. It is estimated that each one of the following can 
produce one car a month: Sterling No. 3 Mine, Keystone Mining Co., 
Penn,, Mine, Acme Gas Coal Co,, Cherry Run Fuel Co. at Huey, Lawsonhan 
Coal Co., Lawsonham, 


ea ie 





ea ita) 
DAEIAL P sah 
































































1 rt: 
+i 
: i 
3 
+; 
\ 
PAT on thy 
} ' ai» myer) NEY Wine 
is eR, Pn rai ee ttt 
> CP bt A Pe eh G Ae wihhew “i (ip 
' i 4 } \ b i 
, Mas | nt i ‘aS 8] RG, ps ‘ 
’ ‘ ¥ > 
‘ 1h : 
* . y ’ ; Wa 
‘ » 4 Nes i : 
iy 
Yuy } i} Lb i ai © ra r 
! * , i 
19 4 4 is 
Sa Ue MUR aR Ria ee wh re. 
; ' 7 19 bdo fing fh; 7h 5 
rf 
' i 45 gf wa 4 a | 
- ‘ } Ay} i 2 t fi 
ty 
t f \ 7 eon i 
' \" ' aan ' 
Ns ' Pt aN . ahs 
Wile d ty bh fi 
H ri : ni { i A hah 
ue vies i Hy at +t) F va 
i \ “ 7 | : 
\ p a 
pn. \ i” 
: At Ne Dine bd fa OF 
, j \ 
; f ; fi 
' f, } j { 
5 
hy eae 
‘ ; ' f vel AAR Pie hi ie 
‘ 7 et ri anit y ' if f : 4 ; : Wis 
i y ow fe akin Poul ree Pt Se ret Oy 
+ t { ' , 34 UY iy Ha LP 5 
7 . - 
mw, . } r wat ae ote 
‘ home A Lah es 
‘ 49,9 
‘ ( ie ira Be et eek ike 
% Val n J ‘ ; WAN IES Be 4 
} ‘I F uv 
it eee Oe ak 
i 4 oO u ( 
‘ : 
‘ } Piya aren hae Teh hire Lh. pelt ah VA 
i F é i 
, } 4 rs en am : ” 
: v) bw Pe 
é ‘ 
; t 
. f 7) 
x 
ae x ‘ 
. ty oy — *, 
i Ms ‘Cj’ nr by a ix ? a) yak’ 
x i } A { i oe 
a * a? F 
y ty es f + sal iy Ay : x 
i if P ‘ { j by h ’ gee a, oy aay ny. Ha Shad ¥ ai rab Lat ; 
. ; ie Aa x 4 Ay. ont 
ad Whos Mace Sy yi plied Wig) yh WO Deiat Fai eae an Re 5) 
} § net Fr S', ' At a MEE MER LP Pe, Wn ate Ce : fs 
iy i ; j > a 
\ f L 60. 2G tae se ll a, % 4 
\ ' Ph yk ENS OMIT a AS wih a 
\ ’ pod uh , ) j xb Pease eu bah ei ace ea: wh 
‘ i J \ she s ‘ > + yy 4 ) a - 5 Sy ithe 
, ; 
. 
i ; ‘ 
: , AA , FP ahah GUEAY Oe WoL 
' Ny " G , aS) La 4 tds ?) é ‘ 
; 4 ARTE ne 
’ 4 RERR Gen Ont 
me he! A. Pd a a vii { *” Pig (AN bivihe 
1 Va oy aa 14a ' 4 + 
, 
ty ; ; 9 hat Wal Se att ® rtp he ; W 6 
° / pee leiy ' i ' oe ; ee 
f “Al “we ' ¥ . 
i ‘ 
at ne Ls ein 
{ } ‘ ‘ 
yf, 
: . ioe NRL) Oe | I bt oy rauaee - 
Ye avy 
fi cate 
‘ y sm © Ld 
) ‘ vt ' 
Oike eg ‘ Aoiall 
‘ 
i J ‘ y | 
; ' e sociied one | 
° AL ia ‘ 
se Ma i ive jae 
‘ i 
t t v a i eae 
’ 4 : : . 1 
ry heey i y 
rr | i ay A o 
i 
iL, : ‘ trp U 
oh. ‘ . \ an 
Blige abo Fa f 
} Vi Th 7 4 , GAS | nia 
re? Une Nae Tee Eos i} any, iA As } . 
= , 
Po ek ae b sf N a 
t ¥ I 
y IH Nie " 7 
i 1 V he A 
i ; i ; 
' a ih ey 
) t a \ Phan Noe aha | * 
‘ at ‘ 0 ae 4 hy , "ie oY | bib Rei el 
' ay ‘ 
i 
iy MN i fy ( f ne AYE hee 
\ Mal ‘ in ied hat gle 
Avolar's 1 
} 7% 
v 4 ua , 
: ‘9 t ‘ P 
a bid } CRC Set ayo Na | | | 
; ' = dnd Le a 
LONGUE MSI AR Bh tlh 5 aN NOR A ee 
; is f ‘ ay Wytjetoct k x Is 
4 ' 5 ¥ a § 1 A ; : 
‘ ¢ 44 
it ; i ; 
y 
4.) 
a’ ; 4 bt 
J y is 
wer ' fe 7 
a ’ ; 
M4 A As F 
4 j 
ie) Pia ane pele UT ae ' 
Y te Oo 7 i . 
{?) 4 i Boyt, } H F 





‘ | id : 
These, with other small mincsthetween Rimersburg and Sligo, y 
could together produce 15 cars of pyrite a month. Picking tables are’ 
as yet untried in the district end only hand picking from the cars 158 
used. “The Acme and the Cherry Run Fuel Company have waste heaps on 
hand from which considerable pyrite could be obtained. 


Conifer District, Jefferson County, (Loc. 5), South of Brook- 
ville, on branches of the Pittsburgh, Shawmut and Northern Railroad, 
are a number of mines operating on the Brookville bed, which is very 
Sulphury. There are also operations on the Lower Freeport, which is 
free from appreciable pyrite, ie 

The Pawnee Coal Company, at Nurman, works the Brookville bed, 


4% to 5§ feet thick, and has a daily production of 500 to 600 tons. 


The pyrite occurs as % to + inch plates of high grade, and lenses of 
lower grade up to 24 inches thick, If the pyrite were properly saved 
they could no doubt produce a car a week. 


The Allegheny River Mining Company also produces a large quantity 


Of Brookville coal at Conifer. The sulphur content is much the same 


as the Pawnee mine and they should be able to produce evey-more 
pyrite - possibly two cars a week. These mines, with other smaller 
mines, should give for the district a possible pyrite production of 
10 to 15 cars per month, 


Pardus District, Jefferson County. (loc. 6). The Panther kun 
Coal Company at Pardus, 4 miles east of Reynoldsville, mines the — 
Lower Freeport Coal, and has a daily production of 500 to 600 tons. 
They throw from the cars s. considerable ball and plate pyrite and a 
smaller quantity of laminated material of lesser value. In all, 
however, it is not likely they could furnish more than one car load 
per month, 


’ 


nelveura. Ulearfie ld County, ( loce 7). The mines in the 
vicinity of Dubois and Punxsutawney are generally free from pyrite. 
The only one visited which could produce much pyrite was the mine of 
the Rochester and Pittsburgh Coal & Iron Company at Helvetia and 
stanley,~south of Dubois. The bed mined is the Upper Freeport. At 
Helvetia, about 200 pounds of pyrite are picked from the cars in & 
hours from a production of 1200 tons of coal, the greater part or the 
pyrite being gobbed below, In all, from both mines, not more than 
two cars of pyrite per month could be expected, 


Tyler«Byrnedale District, Clearficld-Hik counties. (toc 
#rom Tyler, on the Driftwood Division of the Pennsylvania kai 
east to Byrnedale on the Pittsburgh, Shawmut and Northern, arc 2 
number of companics mining the Lower Kittanning bed, which runs from 
9 to 3 feet thick and carries considerable sulphur. The Cascade 
Coal & Coke Company, at Tyler, has a mine with a daily production up 
to 1600 tons and operates an efficient washery and coke plant, The 
coal as mined passes over+a belt and the large lumps of pyrite are 
removed by several boys. This coarse pyrite, amounting to 6 tons per 
day, was formerly hand cobbed and sold. The coal and finer pyrite 
are washed on bumping tables, the pyrite going off with the waste as 
fine pyrite and up to l-inch lumps. Fro 1000 tons of coal they get 
120 tons of waste. Tests made at the Burcau of Mines Experiment 







































. 
re tae 
j 
4 a r 
f ' diy We ae a a 
mt Te ) his Bah OR aS ‘Jaa 
aoe. Wy ibe preritensnd \ Wi ge On Vi 88 A Bi Pe hey aha Ply LEOPARD De 
« ; 'y : Mie . ; r'\ Vive h a \ by ai WOR lady AL vue 9A) 
y h Len | } ] Renae we \ , x 
y 4 TMT uN : NEMS Rs wnhe AT Aa Uh patti GR} 
r I i 
’ " 4 ; ! » { 
‘ ' er \ ts t 
, Py Mes aay 
f ‘ ' ty Ay 
‘ j . » 
* hey va cus pug 
hy ‘ dan Va 
: Wd Ds 
' ¥ » 7 ) 
, ' \ ¥ We: HA i\) wa 
\ AY | 
' H 
’ ‘ ; \ .! , 
j " 
t - | 7 > i 
f * d ; mh vi 4 
a onin 
‘ f ' 
{ i | 
’ 
ay Oe | 4 
i ‘ 
h 
SA OMe NN MRT Ie aL he 
: : } / ‘ APN ddal We 
j Ue) ? 
\ 
A , 
\ . 
i iP LN 
. : 
' - .) 
, ue i y 
/ \ ii Tube? 
\ H ‘ 
ih 
wn 4 
M y \ EY raha ie Pre 
. wf ‘ \ Fie f a ey je Vey 
\ / Wis Ata hiwdt 
ae 
y a irr yey 
{ HK ge tRe See A. 
j } Pe if 4 rae i 
1 * ‘ wat Ne * 
; ‘ ° fi 
i Cok |r aR ee Sida! Ole 
, 
Fe ay At 
“ } 
1h 
as ty 
' ij 
i" ’ \ , ‘ tay 
si pl nln in ew 
\ ; Ai R j ANE aes AT 
d , { H f { t ’ at 
t j ) " ; ie aay nals : | Vay nD MEN 4 Gh 
i 7 a) 
‘ - y R 
1 a 
> 7 
‘ ; 
\ Vay Ki We 
' ay A Maha 4 
\ iia) / 
, 1 Ma Pie hy 
4 } ‘ ‘4 ty iis 
1 7 f 
ij i) Flat 
7 j 
\ r ; int { 
au 4 Fats oF 
Ly t » ¥ P bane i 
“f ‘ 3 © / MT (| hy iy | 
{ 
, A Moi ii 
wit ; 
fey Y i ; 
Yas amie er er) y he fl aged vil %) 
RLY, Baty bart Pk i Ra : Wi bape it ead 
“iN Aye Anny elaiaialdaviopy dep hig , pies AVA wene 
| ’ ; : py ‘i 
bay, 5 " i 1 LifuSee ; 
| 4 4 \ TRS OSL ge Ban | rey Mey ae ypee| 
yf iy a aie 47) ava OA A A Mw) “i Loa VNAE a va 
iB) eee Ah by EL gt Wale Phahn in ay as Wing OPIN We Ri 
‘ Phy ah ans MET lay 1) 
i t j ¢ 
+ OF 
h if 4 
k / Wy ) { 4 h i) 
“a i 
; J 
j abt: 
‘ , u/ PAN 4 
j 
‘ i Anan eiteDt 
7 i Ve ; Ce aaa 
1 eae f 
fe r j yh) 1 aoe i" ST ah 
wAT ty - j ‘ Joc 


PA MIN DUES Ty E TL) fe HERR CP ea 
/ y ua ¥ dha Wie VAL PAA 


A 4 Aape Ens - Cp ee HE RAR Mer K ij 









y 4! 
iG 


¢ ‘ 


Station at Urbana, Illinois, indicate that from 120 tons of waste i% 


is feasible to extract 2t least 48 tons of pyrite running 40 per cent 
sulphur, | 


East of Tyler the Shawmut Mining Company operates a mine at 
Force (or Major). The coal from various drifts is hauled’to one 
tipple. The pyrite does not secm sc abundant as at Tyler, but with 
the installation of a picking table at the new tipple now under con- 
Struction, it is likely that some pyrite will-be available. The same 
compeny operates mines’3l and 42 at Byrnedalc, a station four miles 
east on the Pittsburgh, Shawmut and Northern Railro2d. The cool is 
the Lower Kittanning and runs 3 to 33 fect thick,’ The pyrite is 
irrcgularly distributed as small lenses end balls, some cuts showing 
nonce; others scveral hundred pounds. At present only a part of the 
pyrite is brought to the surface and picked from the cars,’ If the 
pyrite was carefully saved, preferably on a picking table, each mine 
could produce one car a week, Theo maximum cmount obtainable from the 
ce district with proper equipment would probably be 10 cars a 
week, 3 


, f 
Dapus District, Elk County. (Loc, 9), About 10 miles north of 
the Tylor district lies the Dagus district. Here we find the coals 
thin and very rich in pyrite. The principal mine now working is the 
No, 3 of the Northwestcrn Mining & Exchange Company. The coal, which 
is the D or Lower Freoport, ranges from 2 fect 6 inches to 3 fect. 
On or near the roof is 2 very persistent plete of lominated pyrite ¢ 
inches thick which is sometimes removed but often untouched, There 
are also scattered through the coal pyrite balls and lenses from ¢ 
inch to 3 inches thick, with an average for the whole mine of possibly 
# inch; Making due allowance for irregular distribution of the 
pyrite, it seems probable that, with 2 production of 900 tons of coal 
daily, the mine could produce 50 tons of pyrite, and that if they 
were’ to mine all of the roof pyrite the adxily recovery might be 75 
tons. At present no attempt is made to save pyrite and only 2 portion 
Of it is brought out and picked from the cars, The tracks are lined 
With heaps of pyrite waste, much of which (sever.l car loads) is still 
“fairly fresh. In spite of the lack of present ‘facilities for’‘saving 
pyrite, this mine presents great possibilitics, and there are, no 
doubt, similar possibilities in the region from Dagus to St. Marys 


The mine of the Provident Coke & Mining Company, at Kelly, works the 
Upper Freeport, here 3 fect thick, and encounters large pyrite lenses 
ealled stumps, 14 feet square and 3 to 6 inches thick in tho midcle. 

These are usually near the floor and give considerable trouble to the 
machines, Their distribution is irregular and estimates as to their 
quantity are difficult, but probably one ton of such balis could be 

Saved from 60 to 80 tons of coal, In addition, there arc’ fine pyrite 


stringers + to + inch in thickness 2t various heights in the face, 


~~ 


the greater part of which could be saved only by washing the coal, 


lr He pase 










rl Nuit 
A They | 
6 : 
’ y was 
a hub He ¢ 
’ 
‘ iy ‘ 
4 q 
7 4 ? hy 
‘ ~~ 4 ‘ 
” 1 ' : 
$ a x 
\ Pe * 
4 o } ‘ , 
‘ # 
"i 
} , 
‘ » , 
) 
’ 
- 
, . 
th 4 : 
a hae ill 
* R 4 
gaat 
‘ } 
vay IF ha 
¥ ss 
+ 
‘ ; 
1 
§ \ uy y 
: at 
y ‘ 
| \ ‘y | 
, , d } 
‘ ‘ 
s 
. To 







ts 
\ 4 nny a 


‘ ep a 7 ( ; , \ ; y PA a - TE ED Fe t vid eh ts ¥ 
‘ f ' ‘ . ; ic Poet m fy Cae’ | \ 











. - ‘ q an tub ol oa ‘ Ay AS? HET es 
7 Py : ¢ sabes as. fy 4 : Yon 
‘ ' 
J ' 
of 
uy “ i 
; h , 
t , } 
\ A \ 
4 3 
4 
f 
i { 
~ I ' " : 
‘ "i  % 4 hy 
ae py Dune. ¢, 
; yi 2 
“ i 4 
‘ 
. al F + %\ 
j ' 1 at 
4 hol s, ( Wet 1d 
4 ee, 8 } noi 
, wm y 
O } 
{ { i vrard 
” y d eo% i- 
% 
' 7 ' ¥ ‘ Pitas! 
; ‘ - i { hat 
é . A . 
i” p . La 
if : I ‘ ," ' on ' 
’. ae ’ 
é . 
~ ; ¢ { ty 
4 Y: € ve 
* 4 | 
i ‘ wy nt) he ok 
| t Ma i f) 
“4 
\ ' re, Way ‘ 
i igs at ae, : 
? ] hi ti f 
§ 1) 
ean j 
. i A A he Pat 
aw j u ’ id da se rom fe, 
4 yoke) ag ry) TO Peas F fats ry = d : i} 
* " Ae fk, i ihe Boe Am) Gear Neath 
f vary! Pay yy ek Ae ead 
r : 4 f ‘ : PE ae G Sides % may eg) ag Aan: 
i oy ; 
t ' room t 
Mi ” i 





= 


Probably 3 tons of coarse materiel and 9 tons of fine (in washery) 
could be saved daily. The pyrite is of firm, excellent grade and 
stands exposure bettor than any‘seen in the State. No provision has 
been made for saving the pyrite, but the operator would save it or 
rework the gob if market conditions permitted, Other mines {such as — 
Johnetta Brick & Coal Company, No. 2) have similar’ pyrite and from 
the district probably 20 tons a day could be saved, 


Burgettstowm District, Washington County... (Loc.‘11). As before 
Stated the Pittsburgh coal is generally low in pyrite, but toward’ the 
Ohio line west and southwest of Pittsburgh it carries some pyrite. 

The quantity is small as compared with the Brookville and other coals 
in the northern districts, but there is a possible production on 


ati of the largo daily coal output and the care taken in cleaning 
Ly j , 


The Francis mine of the Greensburg-Connellsville Coal & Coke 
Company, west of Burgettstown, operates on the 66-inch Pittsburgh bed . 
and cleans the coal with 2 picking table tended by 6 boys. The picked 
waste amounts to 8 tons,’4 of which seem to’ be good lenticular pyrite, 
with the remainder slate, bone and siderite. Should they make an 
effort to load out all pyrite from the mine their daily pyrite pro- * 
duction might be 6 tons. There are many other mines in the district, 
and although some of them show little sulphur, proper picking equip- 
ment would probably make it possible for the district to produce 20 
tons of pyrite per day. 


Clearficld County, A number of beds-are mined in eastern Clear- 
Ticiad County. The beds‘are generally thin, and-the individual mines 
have a small production, but the coal is high grade semibituminous, 

The famous Clearfield or Moshannon coal comes from the D or Lower 
Freeport bed in this district. The E coal, or Upper Freeport, “is 

also mined and below the D the B or Lower Kittanning and the A, which 
momeceri1on or Brookville. The H and D coals are practically Tree from’ 
pyrite and do not need to be considered. The B usually carries pyrite, 
Mhaie the A coal, as usual, is high in pyrite,’ There i's considerable 
confusion regarding identification of the beds, and A coal is often 
confused with B, or B with C, 


Madera District, (Loc. 12), Coal is’mined from the A and B * 
beds in the Madera district west of Osceola, The principal operator, 
the Liberty Coal Mining Company, has many mines. Among the largest 
of these is the Sylvania mine at Madera, producing 800 tons daily 
from the B bed, which is here 4% to 5 feet thick. With this produc-~ 
tion they could probably save 10 to 15 tons of pyrite a day if it * 
were all brought out on a picking table. The quality of the pyrite, 
however, is not so good as in some districts, one-half being laminated 
Plate and the rest firmer balls, @ to 2 inches thick. 

The Shoff minc, 1 mile south, carries even‘more pyrite, it being 
in plates and lenses 1/8 to 1 or 2 inches thick, averaging probably 
% inch. This could not all be extracted without washing. By hand 
picking probably 2 per cent of pyrite could be extracted from the 
total coal, which would give 2 tons daily. From these and other 


ee ces 















nea Ey. 
peed Pe eS 
be 4 





irae ae 








F Beat at 










- , 2 
. , ‘ ty ne ‘ 
{ 5 n 4 
“ teaeay 
4 a ¢; han edi 2 ; 
, ; ‘ IRs: fae 
, P iv i , 
‘ 
' ‘ iy hi 
’ ; “ 
* 
; 
na) 
fr 
rn 
¥e 
Ps He | 
Ls ere 
5 
j j 
’ ; 
A " ui / a 
H ilee , ) we 


fe 


‘ 


mines in Madera, Banian Junction south of HYoutzdale, the Whiteside 


Branch, etc., probably several tons of pyrite could be extracted 
daily. 


Philipsburg District. (loc,‘13), Along One Mile Run near 
Philipsburg-are a number of mines, Some working B coal, which is here 
non-sulphry, and others working A coal which is very sulphury. The 
last three’ mines up the Run work A coal - the Atherton and Barnes, 
Bloomington No. 14; and the J, F. Horn No, teen NA, 69. ' The coal.is 
4 to 5 feet thick with a°2-inch Slate in the middle anda pyrite on the 
roof and near the bottom, In No. 9 the best ard most abundant pyrite 
is 2 continuous plate averaging 2 inches thick, in the roof coal which 
is le to 18 inches of bony coal not ordinarily mined, A smaller 
quantity of pyrite scattered throughout the coal in 1/8 to 4 inch 
Streaks is of minor importance since it could be saved only by wash- 
ing, ‘The plate pyrite shows over 44 per cent sulphur on analysis and 
the possibility of producing this quality on a commercinl scale hia 
been Shown, for, during a dull season a few years ago, the miners were 
Set to work cleaning out the gobbed pyrite, shipping several thousang 
tons to the Pennsylvania Salt Company at Natrona, An estimate of 25 
c 


Winbumme District, (loc. 14). Between Philipgburg and Win- 
burne are a numbor of mincs working the B coal, but it does not 
appear to be high in sulphur, At Winburne, mine 46 of the Pennsyl- 
vania Coal & Coke Corporation produces 600 tons of B coal daily. 
Phe Gipple is equipped with Marcus screens and picking tables an C 
men are employed to remove the pyrite and other waste, They drop it 
into chutes which lead to hoppers for loading into mine cars. The 
daily waste amounts to 15 tons anda probably 9 tons of this is pyrite. 
But little change woulda be necessary in the picking table arrangements 
for the men to separate the pyrite from the other waste. Tests made 
on this material by the U. S&S. Bureau of Mines at its Experiment 
Station at Urbana , Illinois, andicate it is an unusually firm type of 
pyrite, very little of it going tO powder during crushing. When 
crushed to l-inch size an@é treated in jigs, followed by recrushing 
Some of the middlings to + inch and passing over a concentrating 
table, 62.3 per cont of the crude matcrial was saved as pyrite, 
analyzing 45.2 per cent sulphur. (See Plate Iii.) With large mines 
of the district; such as Ogle No. l and No. 9 of Peale, Peacock & 
Kerr and others, a combined ‘production of 100 tons of waste daily 
would probably be available, and a plant to handle such a tonnage 
Gould be built. | 


Coral-Graceton District, Indiana‘County, (Loc, 15). In this 
district, which lics south of Indiana, the Upper Freeport coal is 
Mined, washed and coked at both Coral and Graceton, At Coral the 
Potter Coal & Coke Company mine the lower two thirds of the bed for 
their washery end ship the upper third. Face samples run from 1.5 
to 2.5 per cent sulphur, the upper third being most sulphury. The 
coal to be washed passes over a Bradford breaker: the fines are 
Carried to. five Deister tables, the waste from them over 2 Deister 
tables for reyashing, and the waste from the rowash over two more 
tables for experimontal extraction of pyrite. This final product 
consists of fine pyrite running 43.32 per cent Sulphur, 37 per cent 


mh DB ree 





